Niagara University - Niagaran Yearbook (Lewiston, NY)

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Father Meade devoted twenty-nine years beloved former president, the Very Reverend Francis L. Meade, CM. Father Meade devoted twentyenine years to Niagara as a priest, a profes- sor, a dean, a vice-president and a president. ln May 1967 the faculty house was rededicated Meade Hall. One of Niagara's fondest memories will be of the University president who found time in his busy schedule to chat over a cup of coffee with his students in the Student Center. On January 20, 1958, Niagara,s president announced the sale of two hundred and fourteen acres of univere sity land for 5,000,000 dollars. The loss to Niagara included the 18 hole golf course, all the barns, two farm houses, all the land across Lewiston Road fronting the gorge, and some undevele oped property. The land was obtained for the construction of the New York State Power Authority. lt had been part of the original holdings of the uni- versity, the Vedder Farm purchased in 1856. Aside from its historical signifi- cance, the tract contained the old cem- etary dating from the school's begin- nings. The graves eventually were dis' interred. Among the first graves to be moved was that of Father John Mc Guinness who came to the University from Brooklyn in 1857 and gave the University 10,000 dollars. He became an instructor and was the first person to be buried at the campus cemetary in Senator Hubert H. Humphrey Albert J. Maggioli ik

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That All May Know Thee NU adopted, at the beginning of her second century in education 619571, a new crest. It read That All May Know Thee. The motto showed the spiritual regard and dedication of the faculty at Niagara to the field of Christian educa- tion of youth. In late June 1957, a change in the top-level administration took place when the Very Rev. Vincent T. Swords, C.M. succeeded the Very Rev. Francis L. Meade, C.M. as Ni- agara's 17th president. Father Swords was also Superior of the Vincention Community at Niagara University since 1955, a position he continued to hold in conjunction with his presiden- tial duties. One of his first achieve- ments as president was the develop- ment ot a masterplan for the academic and recreational expansion of Niagara. Plans for a ten-year 356,700,000 de- velopment program for Niagara Uni- versity were disclosed in early July of 1957. The overall program included plans for a new library and a long needed science building. On Novem- ber 12, 1957, the Very Rev. Sylvester A. Taggart, C.M.V., president of the C.M.'s of the Eastern Province, dedicated the newly erected Novena Building. By this time the student cen- ter had become the heart of campus activity.Masses, indoctrination cere- monies, formals and athletics were held there. While thoughts were con- centrated on future development, the Administration Building CCletl was cherished as a symbol of the years gone by. Midway in the 1957-1958 academic year, Niagara University was deeply saddened by the untimely death of her

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1861. Another feature of the land set- tlement was the decision to relocate Our Lady of the Angels Seminary which had graced Monteagle Ridge for one hundred and one years and was the original institution around which the university was built. As an example of the bond between Niagara and the community, the following is a quote from the NIAGARA FALLS GA- ZETTE, Wed., Jan. 22, '58: We hope the Vincention Fathers will find a suit- able place in the Niagara Frontier as the new home for their seminary. After a century of service to the Catholic Diocese of Buffalo, it would be regrett- able indeed, if the seminary should be taken elsewhere. Highlights during 1958-59 included a lecture from Senator Hubert Hum- phrey of Minnesota. The Senator came directly from a trip to Russia. He enthralled the audience as he ad- dressed many national issues and presented possible solutions for na- tional ills. Another first for NU was ex- perienced. For the first time in all her years, a Niagara University student had been awarded the exemplary Ca- tholic youth in the United States. This award, presented by the National Catholics Welfare Conference, was conferred on Albert J. Maggioli, class of '59. Proceeding with the school's development plan, Niagara University broke ground for its new science build- ing. This was part of its commemora- tion of the foundation of the Congre- gation of the Mission, or as we know them, the Vincentian Fathers, in 1625 by St. Vincent's DePaul. September 27, 1960 marked the 300th anniversary of St. Vincent death. His works in- cluded the education of youth here at Niagara. The science building was dedicated DePaul Hall, on April 10, 1962. Radio Niagara was on the air, for the first time in 1960. Broadcast over WHLD-FM, the station began presen- ting varied programs of music, sports and campus news. Later, Radio Ni- agara changed to WRNU and late in 1980, the station acquired their own